An elected position provides independence in managing public monies as well as a check and balance between the Clerk, Assessor, Auditor and Commissioners. The Treasurer also serves other local governmental entities, an e.g. school, a port, fire districts, etc. and is accountable directly to the citizens.

Primary responsibilities include:

Collecting real and personal property taxes (including performing foreclosures on real property and distraints of personal property), special assessments, excise tax, gambling taxes, and miscellaneous receipts from other county districts and departments and collection of all delinquent accounts

Accounting for all funds and deposits of revenues for the state, county, cities and junior taxing districts (schools, ports, cemeteries, fire, drainage, and the Clark Public Utilities)

Determining adequate liquidity in funds and authorizing the release of warrants for payment to vendors

Administering short- and long-term debt financing

Managing the cash flow of the County and investing funds not needed for immediate expenditures for the County and junior taxing districts

Coordinating banking services and facilitating financial planning for the County and various taxing districts

The majority of depositors include property taxpayers, junior taxing districts, and County departments. All monies are deposited in a qualified financial institution. Junior taxing districts and County departments are required to deposit monies within 24 hours with the County Treasurer.

The County Treasurer selects a primary depository bank, maintains records of all the deposits and withdrawals, and reconciles all bank statements. The County Finance Committee, comprised of the County Treasurer, County Auditor, and Chair of the Board of County Commissioners, oversees the investment of public funds.

In Washington State, county finance is open to the public and within the official knowledge of more than one elected official. Dispersing public fiscal duties among several officials assures an orderly and honorable administration of public finance. We believe the public receives benefit by the Board of County Commissioners authorizing the County's budget, the Treasurer receipting revenues, disbursing funds and investing monies not needed for current bills and the Auditor monitoring expenditures to budgets and preparation of the County's Comprehensive Annual Report.

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The membership of the Washington Association of County Officials (WACO) includes elected county assessors, auditors, clerks, coroners and medical examiners, prosecuting attorneys, sheriffs, treasurers and comparable appointed officials in charter counties. WACO is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization. Learn More